These words were spoken from the balcony at Saint Peter's when Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger was chosen to become Pope Benedict XVI. God's ways are not like our ways. Cardinal Ratzinger had planned to retire and continue to study, write and pray but God had other plans for the 78 year old. Today, five years later, he continues to follow Jesus and lead over 1 billion members of the Catholic faithful, including you and I, closer to Jesus the Good Shepherd on the way towards the Kingdom.

Pope Benedict XVI's first words after the decision of the Holy Spirit through the College of Cardinals on 19 April 2005:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters,

After the great Pope John Paul II, the Cardinals have elected me, a simple and humble labourer in the vineyard of the Lord.

The fact that the Lord knows how to work and to act even with inadequate instruments comforts me, and above all I entrust myself to your prayers.

Let us move forward in the joy of the Risen Lord, confident of his unfailing help. The Lord will help us and Mary, his Most Holy Mother, will be on our side. Thank you."

Here are some interesting things to read on this the anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI:

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world. Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him,
give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.